The smile that lit up Father John Lynam’s face reflected the same joy shining from B.J. Osso and Sister Cynthia Wessel and Jennifer Turner—without being asked, their children made a beautiful sacrifice for God.
In this case, it was Erik Matthews, about to enter third grade at East Catholic School, donating a bag of coins to Fr. Lynam’s parish, Madonna del Castello in Swissvale.
The precious gift of $5.76 went to Our Campaign for The Church Alive!, “so the poor could have more help,” as Erik put it.
The eight-year old had heard Fr. Lynam speak about the campaign at Mass, so he quietly collected the coins from his mother’s co-workers.
“He’s done this in the past, donating money to the Little Sisters of the Poor,” said Joelle Matthews. “He didn’t tell me what he was planning. He’s always thinking of others.”
“It makes me feel proud of Erik,” said his dad, Mark Matthews. “He’s very selfless.”
The campaign helps to meet urgent needs in our parishes and across the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Erik didn’t ask about all the details—he just knows it’s something God wants us to do.
Saints Matthew, Mark and Luke thought the example of our children was so important, they each wrote about it in their Gospels.
“Let the children come to me, do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Jesus rebuked his disciples when they tried to stop parents from bringing their little ones to him. “Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child, will not enter it. Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.” (Mark 10:13-16)
The campaign has offered many opportunities for the children to come to Jesus.
B.J. Osso, a campaign volunteer at Holy Trinity Parish in Robinson, provided a lesson and got one in return. His daughter Angelina was studying the campaign thermometer one day in church and asked, “If we reach the top will we be able to make the church like the model sitting here?” Dad replied, yes.
The next morning Angelina shook her piggybank, and with her sister Gianna and brother Nico, gave the savings to the campaign, saying, “If we all pitch in, we can make it!”
Holy Spirit Sister Cynthia Wessel, longtime principal at St. Agnes School in West Mifflin, thought she’d use the campaign as a way to teach students the meaning of Stewardship. They jumped at the chance, quickly emptying their pockets and purses.
And in the early days of the campaign, Jennifer Turner’s seven-year old son Isaiah pledged $2 a month for five years through their parish, St. Michael in Elizabeth. Why did he do it?
“To be nice. If people need money, you can help,” Isaiah said, with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
Back at Madonna del Castello Parish, Fr. Lynam is talking about sacrifice.
“Erik received his First Holy Communion in May, so this is important,” Fr. Lynam said. “In order to be in communion, there has to be a sacrifice. This is it.
“Erik’s gift is symbolic of the great generosity of the people in Swissvale and Rankin,” Fr. Lynam said.
Sometimes we complicate our decisions about giving.
“Children have a simplicity,” said Deacon Ron Demblowski. “They see adults helping others, and they just want to help.”
Jesus loved the children for their innocence. He taught that entering heaven isn’t about great theological knowledge, personal achievements, or our status in life.
We only need a simple faith in God.
